Generosity.

Wednesday mornings we're inviting people to meet with us at Taborspace in SE Portland at 7am, but we're also welcoming individuals to take part remotely. Tuesday evenings the plans for Wednesday mornings will be posted here. We believe that life is better together, however we can make that happen. Please consider making this a regular part of your weekly practice.

We know that it is tough to find communities centered on Contemplative Christianity and hope this serves as a support for individuals who don't feel like they fit inside or outside of the church, but still haven't given up their seeking and knocking.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

S A C R E D R E A D I N G

R E A D - Without bias, assumption, or expectation; fully and simply listen, with your mind and heart; read through the passage at least twice

R E F L E C T - Is there a phrase, word, or impression that stands out to you? Sit with it for a minute (Refrain from overanalyzing; keep it simple)

R E S P O N D - Allow God’s inspiration to emerge as a brief prayer, even just one word (Again, keeping it simple, remaining centered on Christ rather than on your communication to Him)

R E S T - Simply be with God. Spend a few minutes practicing being as present to God as God is to you. Silently. Humbly. Lovingly.

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”– Matthew 13.1-9

H O M I L Y

Taking inventory on your life, spirit, and relationship with people and God, how would you define where you are planted? Is it good soil? Good soil, as Jesus defines it, is the ability to reproduce and multiply. Are we receiving the good gifts of God (which are always being given to us, in all and through all) in such a way that naturally give them to others? What does our inventory of hope, faith, and love look like? If it’s low, we may want to consider our receptivity to the abiding generosity of God’s life and presence. Are there thorns, rocks, or is there a shallowness that needs to be dug up? Gratitude always softens the soil. Peace nurtures the seed. And selfless, fearless Love enables it to generously grow. May we be grateful, peaceful, and loving now and today.

S I L E N T P R A Y E R

Make space for your mind to slow and be still. Use a passage, prayer, phrase, or word to bring a focus and allow distractions to pass. It is an act of trust in God that is engaging our whole heart, soul, mind, body, and strength. Simply aim to be as present to God as God is present to you and trust that that is more than enough.

When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. … And when you pray, do not keep on babbling …– Jesus, Matthew 6:6-8

Pray without ceasing.– 1 Thessalonians 5:17

T W E N T Y M I N U T E S O F S I L E N T P R A Y E R

C L O S I N G P R A Y E R

Oh my God,I want to love You;Not that I might gain eternal heaven,Nor escape eternal hell, but Lord,To love You just becauseYou are my God.Grant me to give to YouAnd not to count the cost;To fight for YouAnd not to mind the wounds;To labor and expect nothing in return,Except for the knowledge that I serve my God.– St Ignatius of Loyola